Futrell's Punt Return Saves The Game, Maybe His Job

August 30, 1987|By Brian Schmitz of The Sentinel Staff

TAMPA — If the game had been two weeks later, Bobby Futrell would be in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' record book. He probably would have received a standing ovation. Maybe even a key to the city to commemorate the occasion.

Futrell returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown Saturday night to highlight the Bucs' 17-10 victory over Washington. That might not seem like a big deal. But it is for the Bucs, who never have had a player return a punt for a score during the regular season.

As it was, Futrell's punt return for a touchdown was the first in 10 years for Tampa Bay and only the second in the club's 12-year history. Way back in the preseason of 1978, Danny Reece pulled it off. Ever since Bucs fans have gone for refreshments when the opposition punts.

Maybe Futrell will give them a reason to pay attention. ''I don't think they the Bucs have ever had a punt returned for a TD,'' said Futrell, who knows his Bucs history.

''It was a short punt. I juggled it a little, cut right and then cut back and made it past the kicker. . . . Anything to put points on the board.''

The Bucs needed all the points they could beg, borrow or steal. Their points came on Futrell's return, Don Igwebuike's 52-yard field goal and Steve DeBerg's 4-yard pass to James Wilder, which was set up by a fumble recovery at the Bucs' 22.

Futrell, 25, may have needed his heroics to save his. Signed last season as a free agent, Futrell was listed as the fifth of five cornerbacks on the Bucs' depth chart. With clubs cutting to 60 players by next Tuesday, Futrell may have found employment on the special teams.

''I didn't go into the game worrying about it making the team,''

he said. ''You worry about something else, and that's when you don't play well. You make mistakes.''

He also had three kickoff returns against the Redskins for 77 yards. He almost broke a return after Washington scored to tie it, 10-10, but was pulled down after a 48-yard run.

''We've been working hard at it,'' Futrell said. ''We have been a little frustrated because it was the third preseason game and the special teams didn't have any points.

Futrell's punt return came with 35 seconds left in the first half. It gave the Bucs, trailing, 3-0, a lift they needed after losing a fumble and having a field-goal attempt blocked.

''I love returning kicks. I did it in high school and college,'' he said. ''It's such a great feeling when you you break into the open.''

Which explains why Bobby Futrell's teammates call him ''Free,'' as in breaking free.